Chapter 34 – The Chamber

After twenty seconds of high speed traveling in a dark smelly nearly vertical pipe Harry was thrown out, but knowing what to expect he quickly cast a cushioning spell at the wall in front of him preventing him a lot of pain.

The same couldn't be said to the other two.

Hermione was holding her face in pain and Lillian was massaging her side silently muttering swear words.

Harry was surprised to see that the torches he had lit the last time he was down here were still burning strongly.

"You bastard," growled Lillian in pain while resisting the urge to burn him to crisp. "Why did you do that?"

Hermione too looked at Harry with such loathing that she forgot the terror that was coursing through her body just a few minutes ago.

"We were wasting too much time. It was the only way to get you moving," he said with a shrug. "Now if you're down trying to intimidate me with your glares, let's get moving."

Hermione's fear returned. "Go where Mary!?"

Lillian sighed. She didn't want Hermione to be here. Hermione didn't know she was a Parselmouth and a fire elemental to boot.

She knew Harry had decided to bring Hermione along just to see her squirm and she could do nothing about it… yet. Bloody bastard, she cursed in her mind.

"Let's go," said Harry leading the way down the narrow path.

Suddenly Hermione squeaked and hugged Lillian tightly. "The floor," she said in a high pitched tone. "It's covered it bones!"

"Of course it's covered in bones," said Harry patronizingly. "The basilisk does need something to eat doesn't she?"

This time both the girls clutched each other tightly in fear.

"There's a basilisk down here!?" they squeaked.

"Oh don't worry, I killed it last year," he added nonchalantly.

The two chose not to reply to that one and rather watch where they put their feet. Neither of them wanted to hear the sound of bones being crushed under their feet.

"So tell me Granger," began Harry conversationally. "Were you really worried about where Austin's whereabouts or were you too suspicious about her disappearances?"

"What's it to you?" asked Hermione defensively.

"Oh, I'm just curious that's all," he said. "Or was it that you were angry that she wasn't telling you about her sneaking out and you were too damn curious for your own good?"

"I don't have to answer you," she spat back.

"No Hermione, tell us," said Lillian. "I for one would certainly like to know what is it you thought when you decided to follow me."

Hermione looked hurt. "You actually think I was following you because I just wanted to be let in on your secret?"

"Were you?"

"No!?" she cried indignantly. "I would never do such a thing. I swear I was just worried about you because ever since you've come back, you've not been yourself!"

"Oh," replied Lillian in a small voice feeling a little guilty for doubting her friend.

"So what did you expect to find?" Lillian asked curiously.

This time Hermione looked a little sheepish. "I thought you were crying or something and needed a friend."

Harry raised his eyebrows at that and Lillian stopped in her tracks stunned.

"You thought I was crying or something!? Me of all people! Why?"

"I thought you were sad about your not existing in the other world and maybe you were emotionally hurt or something," she said sounding embarrassed. "You looked perfectly fine in class and all through the day so I thought you were letting it all out at night, alone."

Harry was trying hard not to burst out into laughter.

"Oh, Hermione," said Lillian with a smile and went and hugged her. (Harry gagged) "I'm fine, and every night I just go out to explore the castle and sometimes I find some empty classroom to practice the classes I've missed to catch up!"

Lies, thought Harry silently. She was practicing her elemental ability.

"We're here," announced Harry when they reached the wall.

"Is that a statue of Salazar Slytherin?" asked Lillian.

"Yes," was the short reply.

"And the woman?" she asked next.

"Probably his wife," muttered Hermione when Harry didn't answer her question.

"Open" hissed Harry in Parseltongue.

And just like before, the wall shimmered out of existence without a sound.

They entered the chamber cautiously.

Both girls looked around in wonder at the massive stone ceiling and the number of statues all around them.

"Certainly was obsessed with himself," said Lillian.

"I agree," said Hermione. "This place must be filled with statues of him."

Harry resisted the urge to throttle them and beckoned Lillian forward.

"What?" she asked.

Harry didn't bother replying again and instead dispelled the charm hiding the ring on her finger with a tap of his wand.

Hermione gasped. "Is that a ring on your finger!?"

"No, it's her bones sticking out," said Harry sarcastically.

Lillian huffed in annoyance. "Yes, it's a ring Hermione. And that's part of the reason why we're down here."

Hermione was confused. She had no idea what was going on. Her mind was filled with so many questions that she didn't know which one to ask first.

Luckily Harry was thin on patience and decided to give her some food for thought.

"The ring your friend is wearing belonged to Salazar Slytherin and only a person related to Slytherin can wear it," he said making her eyes widen in horror and keep her mouth shut while she processed the information.

"Now why is this damn thing not coming out even now!?" said Harry in frustration while holding Lillian's finger next to the statue were it had to be put in.

"How do I know!?" snapped Lillian. "I've been trying to get the bloody thing off ever since I put it on!"

"Well you wouldn't have to if you had decided against putting it on."

"You really think I wanted this!?" said Lillian angrily.

"Maybe!"

"Does this mean you're Slytherin's heir!?" said Hermione suddenly.

There were simultaneous shouts of YES and NO at the same time.

Harry and Lillian were glaring at each other furiously when they heard Hermione giggle!

Both elementals turned slowly towards the bushy haired girl looking menacing.

"Is something funny Granger?" growled Harry.

Hermione continued to smile broadly. "Oh I'm sorry!" she said, still giggling. "But you two look so… so adorable while fighting with each other."

There was dead silence. While Hermione kept smiling at them Harry and Lillian stood as still as the statues in the chamber while their respective minds took time to understand the words that just left Hermione's mouth.

Harry was the first one to come out of his stunned stupor.

"I'll choose to ignore that," he said breathing heavily. Those words had certainly left him shaken. Never had he ever… EVER imagined that some dumb girl would say he looked freaking adorable while arguing with Freckles.

"Those words just left terrible scars on me," muttered Lillian. "And instead of sprouting nonsense Hermione, why the hell don't you HELP!" she said raising her voice.

Hermione bit her lip trying to hold in her laughter. But she hurried to Lillian's side before said girl would explode in anger.

She tried pulling it out but it had the same result.

"We've tried everything Granger," said Harry tiredly. "The bloody thing just won't come off."

Hermione frowned while her mind was racing for answers and suddenly it was like a bulb just lit in her head.

"Of course!" she cried out.

"What!?"

Looking tremendously excited she took Lillian's hand in hers and gently pushed the ring further in before gently slipping it out.

"Holy mother of god!" said Harry softly. "How the hell did you think of that!?"

Lillian was beyond shocked.

"Have you heard of the Chinese finger trap!?" she asked them grinning broadly.

Harry shook his head in negative while Lillian's eyes widened in dawning comprehension.

"Why the hell didn't I think of that!?" she said slapping her forehead.

"Because you're dumb that's why," snapped Harry. "What am I missing here!?" he shouted.

"The Chinese finger trap is a toy," began Hermione. "It's like a rubber cylinder open at both ends. You put two person's index fingers in each end and tell them to remove it but no matter how hard you pull, it just won't come off!"

"And to remove it you have to push your fingers in to widen the hole," said Harry in realization.

"I told you she'd be helpful," said Lillian smugly.

Harry ignored the jab. "Slip the ring on the finger with the depression in it on that statue," he said pointing at the correct one.

With baited breath Lillian slowly levitated the ring and slipped it into its place.

And again, like before, the ring began to glow red before the statue sank into the floor revealing a door behind it.

"Place your hand on that handprint," whispered Harry feeling a thrill of anticipation run through him.

Hermione caught Lillian's hand before she could go. "Maybe you shouldn't," she said fearfully.

Lillian gave her a reassuring look and stretched out her palm slowly towards the door.

Harry meanwhile had his wand ready if she got blasted back.

Harry held his breath when Lillian placed her hand in place. Lillian too had her eyes closed but all of them let out a heavy sigh when the door slowly creaked open.

"Well that was dramatic," said Lillian with a relieved laugh. "For a moment I thought the whole chamber would explode!"

"Well this only cements the fact that you're related to Slytherin," said Harry.

"But she's a Gryffindor!" protested Hermione.

Harry sighed. "Argue all you want but at the moment I'd like to enter that room!"

"Ladies first," he said politely to the two girls.

Lillian simply rolled her eyes. She lit her wand and entered the room. Hermione followed her, though she looked terrified at the thought.

There was a loud gasp from inside before Harry could enter.

"Look at all these books!" said Hermione in delight.

Excitedly Harry hurried forward but as soon as he took a step inside the room he was blown back with tremendous force.

He slammed into the wall at the other end making a few cracks in it and slid down half unconscious.

Hearing the noise Lillian and Hermione ran out and hurried to Harry's side.

"Are you alright Harry," came the concerned voice of Lillian.

"Wha~?" was the intelligent reply as Harry's eyes drooped.

Lillian slapped him hard getting him to open his eyes.

"What happened?"

"Got blasted back," mumbled Harry.

His senses were coming back to him and the first thing that registered was that his back and cheek hurt like hell.

Wincing he stood up and blinked twice trying to get his bearings right.

"Why did you get blown back?" questioned Hermione.

"I don't know," said Harry. "But I'm going to try again."

He cast a cushioning charm on the wall and strode towards the door and again, as soon as he tried to step in he was blown back.

Lillian and Hermione looked at him questioningly not really understanding what was going on.

Even Harry had no clue why he was being rejected from the room when Hermione had entered without a problem.

"This is unbelievable," he muttered.

"Why weren't you able to enter?" asked Hermione.

"I don't know!" snapped Harry angrily.

Lillian looked at him with an amused expression on her face. "So what now?" she asked him.

Harry sighed feeling his anger disappear. "Now you and Granger go in there and bring whatever's inside outside."

"Do we look like we're going to do your dirty work," she said annoyed.

"It's important," said Harry shortly.

Lillian looked like she wanted to argue but one look from Harry changed her mind.

She nodded and signaled Hermione to follow her.

"Why are we listening to him again?" Hermione asked Lillian.

Lillian just shrugged. "Let's just get the books out."

Both the girls entered the room which had a single torch bracket burning. It was enough to illuminate the entire room which was not very big.

There was a single shelf in a corner and a table, chair and a strange black bowl with some silvery substance in it.

"What's in there!?" they heard Harry yell.

"Nothing much," called back Lillian. "About fifteen to twenty books on a shelf, a table, chair and some weird black bowl."

"It's a pensive," said Hermione in awe. "I've only read about them in books."

Harry's head jerked up when he heard that. There was a pensive in there which most likely held the memories of Salazar Slytherin!

"Okay, bring everything out!"

A minute later Hermione came out holding the bowl like it were a new born baby and Lillian was behind her levitating all the books in front of her.

The minute Harry laid eyes on the books his began to vibrate and a single word passed through his head.

"Evil."

This was the real thing, thought Harry. The few original copies of the dark arts books created by evil.

Harry took a step closer to the books and he could practically feel the foulness emitting from the books.

There was only one thing to do them.

"Put them down," he said softly to Lillian.

Lillian directed the books in front of him and put them down. Hermione put the pensive down carefully and ran towards the books looking excited but Harry caught her and pushed her away roughly before drawing his wand.

"Incendio!" said Harry clearly causing all the books to burst into flames.

"What are you doing!?" shouted Hermione in horror while Lillian just looked on, shocked.

Hermione ran forward and was about to stop the flames when her wand shot of her hand and into Harry's.

"It's none of your concern," he said firmly.

"Those books could hold precious knowledge!" she shouted, distressed.

"Those books contain unimaginable dark magic," he said.

"You can't destroy them," said Hermione angrily.

Before Harry could reply, a stunning spell erupted from Lillian's wand and hit Hermione.

Harry raised his eyebrows at Lillian who just raised her eyebrow's at him and turned back to look and the books crumble and turn to ash..

"There's nothing else inside right?" he asked.

"Just an empty shelf and an empty table," she replied. "Are we done here?"

Harry nodded. All the books had been reduced to a pile of ashes. He took picked up the black pensive and told Lillian to bring Hermione along without waking her.

Lillian removed the ring from the statue which had risen back up and followed Harry out of the chamber.

"I have a theory as to why you couldn't enter the room," said Lillian suddenly as they walked back to the entrance.

"Hmmm?"

"Maybe Slytherin had something against your ancestors and prevented anyone of their blood from entering his private domain."

"That's an interesting theory," said Harry casually. Actually the same thought was running through Harry's mind as well. Him being unable to enter the room had only reinforced his theory that his family had some dark secret that they were hiding and it was the same secret which James Potter had refused to learn.

"Do you think it's possible?" asked Lillian snapping him out of his thoughts.

"If that's true then it might also mean that anyone except for me can wear that ring and enter that room."

Lillian's heart skipped a beat. "So it could mean I'm not his descendent."

"I guess so, maybe you should make Granger try it on once to make sure," replied Harry. "We're here," he added when they reached the entrance.

"How do we get up?"

"Stand next to me and keep Granger close to you," he said.

Once they were directly under the pipe Harry closed his eyes and concentrated.

Lillian's eyes widened when the ground around them began to crackle and form a thin layer of ice.

Suddenly the ice began to rise taking them along with it. To her it felt like a miniature earth quake in the which the ground she stood on was steadily rising. She half expected to hear a ting like an elevator when they reached the bathroom.

Lillian gave a sigh of relief. "I guess we can go back now."

"You might want to wake Hermione," said Harry grinning. "I don't think she's going to be pleased with what you did."

"You think!?" she said sarcastically and drew her wand and pointed it at Hermione. "Ennervate!"

Hermione awoke groaning and Lillian helped her to her feet.

"What happened?" she asked groggily.

"Granger!" called out Harry suddenly.

"Wha~?"

"You were really helpful down there but I am sorry for this," he said, not sounding sorry at all.

And before either of the Gryffindor's could realize what was going to happen, Harry had drawn his wand and sent a memory charm her way.

Lillian was horrified. "WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO THAT FOR!?" she all but screamed.

"Secrets are not meant to be shared Lillian," he said firmly. "Granger will be fine. I just erased her memories of the chamber and meeting me and replaced them with her thinking she was consoling you."

Her anger disappeared as fast as it came and was replaced with confusion.

"Consoling me?"

"She thinks you've been crying in here," he said with a grin. He glanced at Hermione who was just beginning to be aware of her surroundings.

"I'll leave you to deal with her! Cheerio!" he said.

"No! Harry wait!" she cried desperately but Harry was gone.

"It's alright Mary, I'm here for you," said Hermione sympathetically.

"Huh?"

"Just let it all out and you'll feel a lot better," she said placing her hand on Lillian's shoulder.

Lillian felt like wringing Hermione's neck. "Oh shut up Hermione!" she snapped at the girl and walked out of the bathroom in a huff.

Confused Hermione hurried after the angry elemental. She couldn't understand why Lillian wouldn't talk to her.

"Mary wait!" shouted Hermione. "I just want to help!"